A Travel Price Comparison for India Leh vs. Bodh Gaya for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Leh or Bodh Gaya?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Leh and Bodh Gaya. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Where Should I go: Leh or Bodh Gaya?

Leh

Leh is a small town located in the Indus river valley at a crossroads of the old trading routes from Kashgar, Tibet, and Kashmir. Today, the town is best known for its Buddhist sites and nearby trekking areas. It is situated in northern India, amidst the mountainous Himalayan range.

Bodh Gaya

Located in the state of Bihar in the northeast of India, Bodh Gaya is the most respected place and pilgrimage destination for Buddhists. Bodh Gaya is believed to be the site where Buddha Shakyamuni achieved enlightenment while meditating under the famous Bodhi tree.

Prince Gautama Siddartha was born in the sixth century, B.C. in what is modern-day Nepal. Siddartha lived a comfortable life of extravagance as he was born the son of King Suddhodana of the Sakya clan, but after witnessing human suffering, Siddartha decided to give up all of his possessions and embarked upon a quest to seek knowledge and the solution to such suffering. It is underneath a Pipal tree near the city of Gaya, that it is believed he began to meditate until he became enlightened. Today, a descendent of the original Bodhi Tree is located in the Mahabodhi Temple Complex in the city of Bodh Gaya.

Weather in Bodhgaya is generally warm throughout the year, with daytime highs in the 90s during summer and nighttime lows in the high 40s during winter. Because Bodhgaya is centered around religious sites, pack light layers and plan to dress modestly. Remember that you'll be expected to take shoes off at all temples, so sandals may be easier to wear and a good time-saver.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from New Delhi, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Mumbai, The Best 2-Week Tours from New Delhi, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Mumbai.


Which place is cheaper, Bodh Gaya or Leh?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Leh is $49, while the average daily cost in Bodh Gaya is $63. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Leh and Bodh Gaya in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Leh $17
    Bodh Gaya $22
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Leh $34
    Bodh Gaya $44
Compare Hotels in Leh and Bodh Gaya

Looking for a hotel in Leh or Bodh Gaya? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.

Hotels in Leh


Hotels in Bodh Gaya


Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Leh Hotel Prices and Bodh Gaya Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Leh $7.82
    Bodh Gaya $23

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Leh

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Leh:

  • Leh Airport Transfer: $33
  • Ladakh: 5-Day Family Tour with Accommodation & Transfers: $381

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bodh Gaya

Also for Bodh Gaya, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Private Transfer from Bodhgaya Hotel to Gaya Airport: $13
  • Private Transfer from Bodhgaya Airport: $13
  • Affordable Bodh Gaya Airport Transfer: $15

Is it cheaper to fly into Leh or Bodh Gaya?

Prices for flights to both Bodh Gaya and Leh change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Leh $24
    Bodh Gaya $27

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Leh $14
    Bodh Gaya $9.77

Tours and Activities in Leh

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Leh are as follows:

  • "Leh to Pangong Lake Sameday tour: A Day of Tranquil Wonders: $85
  • Airport Pickup with Shanti Stupa-Leh Palace & Monastery Tour: $30
  • Chadar Trek Frozen River Trekking Tour: $313
  • From Srinagar: Private Himalayan 11-Day Tour to Ladakh: $1,507
  • LADAKH TOUR: $654
  • Leh Explorer: One-Day Cultural and Scenic Adventure: $58
  • Leh Ladakh Tour 3N 4Day with "Airport pick up and Drop off": $363
  • Nubra Valley 2-Day Tour with Khardung-La Pass: $143
  • Overnight Pangong Tour From Leh & Thikse , Hemis Monasteries: $113
  • The Ultimate Leh-Ladakh Experience: From Valleys to Lakes: $419

Tours and Activities in Bodh Gaya

For Bodh Gaya, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Guided Virtual Tour of Bodhgaya: $27
  • Bodhgaya Day Tour (Hotel Pickup): $34
  • Full Day Tour in Bodhgaya Hotel pick up: $35
  • Bodhgaya and Gaya Pilgrimage Tour: $53
  • Full-Day Private Guided Bodhgaya Tour with Pick Up: $55
  • Bodhgaya Full Day Tour: $57
  • Excursion tour of Rajgir & Nalanda from Bodhgaya: $86
  • Same Day Private Bodhgaya Tour from Varanasi: $115
  • From Varanasi: Private Same Day Bodhgaya Tour: $128
  • OVERNIGHT BODHGAYA TOUR: $143
  • Private guided tour of Bodh Gaya over 2 days : $175
  • Exclusive, Historical & Spiritual Bodhgaya Overnight Tour: $175

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Leh $5.54
    Bodh Gaya $5.61


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Leh and Bodh Gaya, we can see that Bodh Gaya is more expensive. And not only is Leh much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Leh would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Leh and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Bodh Gaya would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Bodh Gaya than you might in Leh.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Leh Expensive? and Is Bodh Gaya Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Leh or Bodh Gaya?

Leh has a larger population, and is about 6% larger than the population of Bodh Gaya. When comparing the sizes of Leh and Bodh Gaya, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.